Comments on: Wink Hub 2 Home Automation Controller Reviewhttp://darwinsden.com/wink-hub-2-controller-review/
Smart home automation system reviews - Independent, hopefully unbiased, and always opinionated.Tue, 01 Aug 2017 15:51:13 +0000hourly1https://wordpress.org/?v=4.8.1By: Darwin's Denhttp://darwinsden.com/wink-hub-2-controller-review/#comment-3634
Sat, 29 Apr 2017 18:22:53 +0000http://darwinsden.com/?p=5313#comment-3634Hi Chad. I briefly tested the Wink with the HomeSeer switches, and while they appeared to work fine as standard Z-Wave switches and dimmers with the Wink, I saw no indication that any of the Central Scene class capabilities were supported
]]>By: Chadhttp://darwinsden.com/wink-hub-2-controller-review/#comment-2758
Mon, 13 Mar 2017 15:49:47 +0000http://darwinsden.com/?p=5313#comment-2758Did you test it with the HomeSeer switches and does the central scene class work?
]]>By: Jason Thomashttp://darwinsden.com/wink-hub-2-controller-review/#comment-1910
Tue, 24 Jan 2017 22:59:30 +0000http://darwinsden.com/?p=5313#comment-1910They really missed the mark in several areas. Creating robots should not remove devices from the list if you have already selected them. This voids the idea of having one device do several things for automation. It takes true automation away. Example. Let’s say I set my unit to trigger a light on when garage door is opened. Let’s say I want that light to change colors a few minutes after it has opened. I can’t. Why because the light is removed from the list of options which again, takes automation away.

The lack of harmony add-on support is another missed opportunity. There shouldn’t be any explanation there because that speaks for itself. You should be able to move objects to certain other areas in the app such as a switch that operates a water heater contractors Why is it lights. Why can’t I move it.

Several other missed marks to me but deploying this product without adequate in-home testing by those who have a lot of automation experience was a terrible mistake.

]]>By: Darwin's Denhttp://darwinsden.com/wink-hub-2-controller-review/#comment-1797
Sun, 22 Jan 2017 16:43:18 +0000http://darwinsden.com/?p=5313#comment-1797Great information. Thanks Lyss. IFTTT definitely has its advantages over the geofence capabilities of many Smart Home apps. Even compared with SmartThings, IFTTT supports multiple geofence areas vs. one single location. It’s interesting that the Wink app may be limiting its location accuracy to cell signal vs using the phone’s internal location which should be based on a best accuracy location using GPS, Cell, and WiFi together – as you mentioned IFTTT does.
]]>By: Lysshttp://darwinsden.com/wink-hub-2-controller-review/#comment-1728
Wed, 18 Jan 2017 01:51:20 +0000http://darwinsden.com/?p=5313#comment-1728Hi Darwin,
I wanted to dig deeper before reporting back. According to Vinny at Wink, the app wants you to input an address, will not accept GPS coordinates, and uses only the cell towers to determine your location and normally triggers within 100 feet of the address. Therefore, using only the Wink app, the location dependent robots are not very reliable in remote locations where connection to cell towers is spotty as you approach your destination and the destination may not have a street address. Here I should say that I was clueless about IFTTT.com until Vinny told me they might have a recipe which uses WiFi for location. (I thought that IFTTT was built into the Wink 2 hub but was surprised to learn that IFTTT.com provides this web-based functionality.) That said, I created an IFTTT.com account, linked my Wink account, and was able to create my own Applet called “If You enter an area, then activate Wink shortcut”. This uses WiFi or cell data and Android location services to determine your phone’s location. This makes it easy to adjust the circular geofence to include known cell reception areas. The IFTTT.com interface lets you zoom into the circular area where the action will be triggered upon entry. I know I’m answering a question you didn’t ask, but thought I would post the info for others in remote locations.
]]>By: Darwin's Denhttp://darwinsden.com/wink-hub-2-controller-review/#comment-1580
Fri, 06 Jan 2017 01:00:40 +0000http://darwinsden.com/?p=5313#comment-1580Hi Lyss. Thanks for the feedback. I’ve only done a very limited test using a Hub 2 Robot with a geofence location to turn on a light, and although it did work for me, I can’t say it’s much of a data point at this time. Interesting comment about the Wink Hub 2 requiring download updates. Unexpected automatic firmware updates are something that’s easy to overlook when evaluating controllers for mission-critical systems and for remote/limited internet access environment. I wish Wink and SmartThings would let you choose if and when to download these updates, but i’m sure at this point in the game, it’s much easier for them to force everyone to stay in sync with their software – at least as best as they can.
]]>By: Lysshttp://darwinsden.com/wink-hub-2-controller-review/#comment-1561
Wed, 04 Jan 2017 20:47:12 +0000http://darwinsden.com/?p=5313#comment-1561Thanks for this timely review of Wink 2. I have one for my remote cabin which barely has (costly) internet data service through tethered cellphone. I have been mostly satisfied with it’s performance with timing lights, activating them on command, and notifying me via cellphone notifications of events. I share your observation/frustration that many devices are not supported, including GE’s hybrid water heater control module Connect and the original Quirky Spotter Multipurpose Sensor (1st Gen) which was supported on Wink 1 and is listed on the add screen of Wink 2 but simply displays a message on non-support and advises you to return the Spotter to the place of purchase! Small gripes to be sure. I wonder if you or any of our friends have been able to use the Arriving or Departing conditions in a Robot to actuate something like a light? I have tried but got no actuation. One more comment, the Wink 2 has required downloaded updates at least twice since I’ve owned it – using up my expensive cell data!
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